Intramedullary cannulated guide for fracture reduction with endoscopic camera

Abstract

The invention consists in a product for the closed reduction and, more specifically, in a new type of an intramedullary cannulated guide for fracture reduction with an endoscopic camera for use in intramedullary nailing surgeries. The intramedullary cannulated guide for fracture reduction is consisted of a flexible, unbreakable, modular and cannulated shaft, a T-handle with a hole in the upper surface, a camera, which is located at the edge of the guide, bears a lightning source and is connected wired or wireless to an image reproduction device, a sealing flange with a slot or spout, an input / output cannula for liquid suction and / or washing of the camera glass. The intramedullary cannulated guide for fracture reduction with an endoscopic camera is inserted in a bone that has suffered a fracture. The intramedullary image that the camera transmits, when it encounters the fracture point, is shown on the screen. Thus, the surgeon perceives the direction towards which the bone parts have to be pushed, in order to achieve their reduction with skeletal manipulations. After the intramedullary cannulated guide for fracture reduction is inserted, the camera is removed from the guide, by pulling out the cable of the camera, and, through the canal of the guide, the ball tip guide wire is inserted and the surgery continues as it is conducted up until today.

Description

[0001]The present invention concerns a product for the closed reduction of fractures and, more specifically, a new type of intramedullary cannulated guide for fracture reduction with an endoscopic camera for use in intramedullary nailing surgeries.TECHNICAL FIELD[0002]The reduction of long bones' fractures is made with four ways: by fitting a splint, with internal osteosynthesis, with external fixation and with intramedullary nailing (S. TERRY CANALE MD, JAMES H. BEATY MD. CAMPBELL'S OPERATIVE ORTHOPAEDICS, TWELFTH EDITION 2013 International Edition chapter's 53, 54, 55, 57).[0003]The first intramedullary nailing surgeries have been recorded in the middle of the 18th century. However, the founder of modern intramedullary nailing is considered to be Gerhard Kuentscher.BACKGROUND ART[0004]In today's intramedullary nailing practice, three informal stages are followed. First, a closed reduction of the fracture is made and a guide wire is inserted, then, the intramedullary nail is insert...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The invention helps to minimize or even eliminate the use of x-ray machines and the need for radiation shielding during orthopedic surgery, resulting in a faster recovery for patients and less risk for complications. It also allows for precise surgical techniques and reduces the need for additional incisions, minimizing soft tissue damage and blood loss. Additionally, it improves the accuracy of the surgery and reduces post-operative pain.

Problems solved by technology

Moreover, during the shots with the x-ray machine an upthrust, transverse and displacement of bone parts may be found, which results in that the x-ray shot taken from their side view (ML mediolateral) shows that the bone parts are aligned horizontally, while they are not aligned in their frontal view (AP anteroposterior) and vice versa, that is they may appear as aligned in the horizontal shot, but displaced in the vertical shot, resulting in that the bone parts would not be able to be rebuilt, so that they can be penetrated by the guide wire and, then, by the nail.

This essential movement often results in the movement of at least one bone part, this having as result that the previous shot taken by the x-ray machine becomes obsolete, as the position of the bone part, as it was imprinted in the previous shot, has changed.

However, the shaft that is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,053,922 does not bear a camera nor is it used for the closed reduction of fractures.

In the techniques that are used, today, in intramedullary nailing, the closed reduction of fractures is one of the most difficult steps of the surgery.

Difficult, timely and patient handling is required, along with a constant intraoperative x-ray control, so that a guide wire can be inserted from the central towards the distal part of the fractured bone.

This particular medical act has been characterized as laborious, timely and as having a negative burden on the patient and on the personnel of the surgery due to the use of the x-ray control.

The basic and major problem in the closed reduction of fractures, in intramedullary nailing, is the use of a x-ray machine, which produces a very large quantity of radiation.

The surgeon's and his assistants' attempt is conducted “blindly”, resulting in the risk of injury to the soft tissues and noble elements around the fracture.

Moreover, a major problem is the quantity of radiation that the patient and the personnel receives.

In addition to that, an important problem is the duration of the surgery, which can be up to several hours.

The cost of such a surgery is also increased due to the use of the x-ray machine and shielding measures taken for protection against radiation.

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